he Armin Strom Tribute 1 California, which continues the brand’s eye-catching fusion of tradition and transparent mechanics, features a California-style dial created in a choice of five fumé colours that offer a striking contrast to the black guilloché plate. Each colour option has been produced in a limited edition of five pieces.

The newest interpretation of the Armin Strom Tribute 1, the brand’s popular modern dress watch, takes its name from the so-called California dial, which is distinguished by its alternating Roman and Arabic numerals. The dial, which is offered in five different colours, also features bar markers and a railway track minute ring.

Once again, Armin Strom’s Master Watchmaker Claude Greisler has revealed his passion for his industry’s heritage: the California dial design, which is a favourite among watch aficionados, dates back to the 1930s and with its distinct presentation on the coloured dials, it offers each proud owner a timepiece of distinction and a touch of exclusivity. The visibility of the barrel on the dial makes the Tribute 1 California resolutely modern while the California dial gives it a pleasing vintage flair.

With its Tribute 1 California, the independent Swiss luxury brand Armin Strom has introduced five compelling new takes on the classic manually-wound dress watch. With dials in five different colours – blue, light blue, green, burgundy and black – it is available in editions limited to five per colour, meaning that the total edition size for the Tribute 1 California is 25.

The “fumé” dials in each of the colours incorporate a sunburst pattern with a gradient effect: towards the centre of the dial, the colour is quite light and becomes deeper and darker towards the outer edge. The effect in all five colours is at once understated and dramatic and is complemented by the dial’s contrast to the black guilloché plate.

The black guilloché plate was created by hand by Finnish watchmaker and close friend of the brand, Kari Voutilainen. The movement and hands, designed and manufactured in-house at Armin Strom, feature exceptional hand finishing.

The barrel, which is prominently displayed on the dial side of the watch, is clearly the star of the movement. It has been meticulously hand-decorated, an extremely time-consuming process, and is engraved with the words “100 HOURS OF POWER RESERVE”, a testimony to that impressive part of its performance.

Like every Armin Strom watch, the Tribute 1 California’s manually-wound Calibre AMW21 has been assembled twice. After its first assembly, the movement was painstakingly disassembled and each individual part was cleaned, dried, reassembled and lubricated before being meticulously regulated, tested, and returned to the case.

Engraved on each case back, the legend “1 OUT OF 5” confirms the edition size. Every Armin Strom Tribute 1 California watch is presented on a black alligator leather strap with stitching that matches the colour of the dial. The Armin Strom Tribute 1 California will be available in December of 2021 at a price of CHF17,900.

The Armin Strom Tribute 1 watches are part of the “System 78” collection, which offers fine watchmaking, impeccable hand-finishing and a number of innovative horological ‘firsts’ while maintaining an accessible price point. The collection embodies the watchmaking sensibilities of Claude Greisler and Serge Michel, co-founders of the revitalized Manufacture Armin Strom, who were both born in 1978.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Indications: Hours, minutes, seconds
• Movement: Armin Strom manufacture Caliber AMW21
• Hand-wound movement
• Regulating system: Flat hairspring with a variable inertia balance wheel
• Barrel bridge in brass
• Power reserve: 100 hours
• Dimensions: 33.5 mm x 4.2mm
• Frequency: 3.5 Hz (25,200 vph)
• Finishing: Hand-finishing to the highest quality level
• Jewels: 21
• Number of components: 135
• Case: Stainless steel
• Sapphire crystal and case back with anti-reflective treatment
• Diameter: 38 mm
• Height: 9 mm
• Width between lugs: 18mm
• Water resistance: 5 ATM
• Dial: Offset, fumé blue, light blue, green, burgundy or black
• Hands: Manufactured by Armin Strom – stainless steel with hand finishing
• Strap: Black alligator leather strap and double folding clasp in stainless steel
• Price: CHF 17,900 / EUR 16.500 / USD 19.000
• Limited Edition: 5 pieces per each dial colour, 25 pieces Tribute 1 California total